Ordering Your Private World

“We have smart phones, sticky notes, computerized calendars, and schedule planners to help us organize our business and social lives. But what about organizing our inner lives–our private worlds?” — Gordon MacDonald

Okay, this guy is pointing his finger directly at me! Reading this from the back cover of his book, I got busy reading the complimentary copy of his revised and updated book.

This Mom’s Review

I relate to the author in more than one way as he shares the things draining his private world. The things draining my spiritual life included:

Living a high-paced life;

Saying yes to too many opportunities;

Feeling inadequate in comparison to others;

Thinking a calendar or perfect checklist could solve my problems; and

Not seeking daily time with my Savior.

I knew after reading all of these similarities, I had to see how he managed to put order to his own spiritual life. I was hoping to do the same.

While I want to live out the life God has called me to in a way that glorifies Him, I feel I have failed in a big way. I lack in the four characteristics of a called person. I severely show signs of disorganization. I recognize my own tendencies in the four laws of unmanaged time.

The three steps to recapturing lost time provide me with hope to regain my day. I found the section on ‘putting yourself in growth mode’ exciting, as I love to read anyway. I just need to be more implemental and eternal minded, allowing myself to grow intellectually the three ways he suggests.

He also discusses the importance of singing, silence and solitude. One method is through journaling. That’s something I used to enjoy but, for some reason, have put aside. He also touches on prayer. His view on resting and Sabbath has me rethinking my weekends.

Overall, I am a mess when it comes to my private life. I need to do some work in the spiritual area of my life. While there is a lot covered in this book, I am excited to move forward with God to grow and live a more eternally minded life.

Gordon MacDonald has done an excellent job in helping Christians develop Spiritual disciplines. I also love his take on the loosely used term ‘Christian’.He doesn’t call himself a Christian; instead, he uses the term “Christ-follower” when describing himself. I make just have to copy him, but first I am going to get busy implementing these spiritual discipline practices using the study guide in the back of the book.

We have schedule planners, computerized calendars, smart phones, and sticky notes to help us organize our business and social lives every day. But what about organizing the other side of our lives?the spiritual side?

One of the great battlegrounds is within the private world of the individual. The values of our Western culture would have us believe the busy, publicly active person in ministry is also the most spiritual. Tempted to give imbalanced attention to the public world at the expense of the private, we become involved in more programs, more meetings. Our massive responsibilities at home, work, and church have resulted in many good people on the verge of collapse.

In this updated classic Ordering Your Private World, Gordon MacDonald equips a new generation to live life from the inside out, cultivating the inner victory necessary for public effectiveness.

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About This Mom

This Mom's Delight is all about books, motherhood and the journey home.
While my desires include leaving my payroll job to homeschool my youngest son, I will be sharing the journey with you. I hope this encourages you to also follow God's lead in whatever desires He has placed on your heart.

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Tami Qualls is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.